If your HUD-funded project is located in the BoS CoC and has been impacted by Hurricane Harvey, there may be HUD CPD resources available to assist. Please reach out to Kameron Fowler, CoC Director with THN.

Local Perspectives
Grant for Legal Services Awarded. The Texas Bar Foundation awarded Lone Star Legal Aid a one year grant of $76,854 to support LSLA’s efforts provide legal services for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. The grant will support an attorney at their Beaumont offices to focus on survivors’ legal issues such as FEMA appeals, evictions and lease terminations, and other short and long-term issues. In announcing receipt of the award, LSLA noted that as part of LSLA’s representation of tenants who survived Hurricane Harvey in this region, three temporary restraining orders have been granted against landlords attempting to evict tenants, which resulted in tenants having time to retrieve their personal belongings from damaged apartments. Also, with so many individuals and families having lost their homes, the City of Port Arthur has resorted to the creation of a military-style tent city in order to house residents.

Youth in Juvenile Justice System. Because of Hurricane Harvey, many youths in Harris County’s juvenile justice system are dealing with homelessness and separation from family on top of following probation orders and attending hearings. The County Juvenile Probation Department referred 65 children impacted by the storm to the local nonprofit reVision for additional assistance. Probation officers and judges have also been more lenient in light of the additional hardships.

Veterans Assistance

The TexVet link included here contains comprehensive information for service members, veterans, and their families, including homelessness and shelters located throughout the state. The homepage at this time is dedicated to Hurricane Harvey and help for veterans. There is a map indicating exact locations of veteran homeless shelters in the affected area as well as statewide.

Birth certificates:

Governor Greg Abbott has approved a request allowing the state to waive fees for mail-in or walk-in birth certificate issuance requests, and local registrars to waive fees for walk-in birth certificate issuance requests, for individuals from hurricane-affected counties.

Local registrars should submit a copy of each application for certified copy that was issued free of charge when invoiced for payment. DSHS will issue a credit on your next invoice. Email questions about remote site payment.

To report a missing child, contact the National Emergency Child Locator Center: 866-908-9570

To talk to a professional who can help you cope with emotional distress from the storm, call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990, visit http://disasterdistress.samhsa.gov, or text TalkWithUs to 66746.

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is working to provide available resources and services to displaced and other affected Texans and will continue to monitor the effects of the storm to determine what additional steps we need to take to provide assistance.

Below is a list of resources available for those who have been affected as well as a link to frequently asked questions that will assist you as an employer.

Individuals affected by the recent severe storms in the following counties can apply for benefits online through Unemployment Benefit Services or by calling a TWC Tele-Center Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 800-939-6631: Aransas, Bee, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Harris, Jackson, Kleberg, Liberty, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria, and Wharton Counties. Individuals should specify that their applications are related to the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey.

The work search requirement is waived for disaster-related regular unemployment claims and employer tax accounts are protected from any charge for such claims.

TWC is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) as a result of severe weather due to Hurricane Harvey. Under Presidential Disaster Declaration (FEMA 4332-DR) dated August 25, 2017, workers who lost their jobs and self-employed individuals who have been unable to work due to damage sustained from Hurricane Harvey may be eligible for relief. Applications for DUA must be submitted by September 27, 2017. TWC’s website contains more information about Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Individuals can apply for disaster unemployment benefits online through Unemployment Benefit Services or by calling a TWC Tele-Center Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 800-939-6631.

DUA is available to individuals who:

have applied for and used all regular unemployment benefits from any state, or do not qualify for unemployment benefits; many individuals could go straight to regular UI before switching over to DUA.

worked or were self-employed or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment in the disaster area;

can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster;

establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income;

cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster; or

became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of household.

To receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed. Required documentation includes Social Security number, a copy of the most recent federal income tax form or check stubs, or documentation to support that you were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred.

Job seekers may visit local Workforce Solutions offices for access to job-search resources, job postings and training programs, as well as assistance with exploring career options, résumé and application preparation, career development and more. Customers also may connect with potential employers through TWC’s online job-search engine, by visiting WorkinTexas.com.

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (Assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities): Bee, Goliad, Kleberg, Nueces, San Patricio, and Refugio Counties for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program.

HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM (Assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards):
All counties in the State of Texas are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

The federal declaration makes available federal aid programs for eligible households: https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2017/08/25/federal-aid-programs-state-texas. Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Homeowners impacted by Hurricane Harvey may qualify for forbearance, a temporary suspension or reduction of their mortgage payment. Read Freddie Mac’s disaster relief policies or Fannie Mae’s statement on assistance for Hurricane Harvey homeowners for more details.